Southern Continental Divide Goat Survey ACA/ASRD D AUS Report. (Waterton Lakes National Park to Crowsnest Pass) July 2008

Transcription

1 Southern Continental Divide Goat Survey ACA/ASRD D AUS Report (Waterton Lakes National Park to Crowsnest Pass) July 2008 By Alberta Conservation Association And Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife August, 2008 Blairmore, Alberta

2 PERMISSION TO QUOTE This report contains preliminary information and interpretations and may be subject to future revision. To prevent the issuance of misleading information, persons wishing to quote from this report, to cite it in bibliographies or to use it in any other form must first obtain permission from the Executive Director of the Wildlife Management Branch, Fish and Wildlife Division and / or its regional representatives within the Southern Rockies Area. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Day 1 of the goat survey, the portion within Waterton Lakes National Park was navigated by Rob Watt (Parks Canada) and Mike Jokinen (ACA), and Greg Hale (FW) participated as observers. Mike Jokinen navigated the WMU 400 Continental Divide portion of the goat survey (Day 2, 3, and 4) while Greg Hale, and Doug Manzer (ACA) participated as observers. The aircraft was chartered from Bighorn Helicopters with Greg Goodison as the pilot. ABSTRACT An aerial survey to monitor the status of the Southern Continental Divide mountain goat population was conducted on June 30 th (Waterton), and July 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th, Survey objectives included the collection of distribution, herd composition and total numbers. All mountain complexes associated with the Continental Divide from Waterton Lakes National Park to the Crowsnest Pass received detailed aerial coverage during the survey. The survey area is the southern portion of Goat Management Area (GMA) A including Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 400 in Alberta. A total of 218 mountain goats (93 adults, 54 unclassified goats, 46 kids and 25 yearlings) were observed within the hunted populations. Kid and yearling ratios per 100 adults were 31 and 17 respectively. One hundred twenty goats were observed on the Alberta side of the Continental Divide while 98 goats were observed in British Columbia. Two hundred eighteen goats represent an 11 percent increase in the estimated population (based on total goats observed during survey) compared to 2007 when 193 goats were recorded. A coordinated survey with Waterton Lakes National Park was also completed this year with Parks Canada staff participating in the project. An all time high of 106 goats (48 adults, 19 unclassified individuals, 21 kids and 18 yearlings) were observed during the Waterton Park goat survey. 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION METHODS RESULTS REFERENCES APPENDICES...14 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Map of survey area for Southern Continental Divide goat survey (WMU 400)....5 Figure 2. Southern Continental Divide Goat Population/Hunting Areas within WMU 400 (southern GMA A)...6 Figure 3. Southern Continental Divide mountain goat population trend, 1980 to LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Mountain goat observations within each Goat Population/Hunting Area during Table 2. Mountain goat population trend counts for each Goat Population/Hunting Area, 1980 to Table 3. Summary of yearling and kid per adult goat ratios for the period 1980 to 2008, Southern Continental Divide goat survey area LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1. Survey flight log for the Southern Continental Divide goat survey, Appendix 2. Survey cost analysis Southern Continental Divide Goat

4 1.0 INTRODUCTION Censuses to determine the status of the Southern Continental Divide (north of Waterton Lakes National Park to the Crowsnest Pass) mountain goat population have been implemented on 22 occasions since the first program in During the 1979 program, only the eastern (Alberta) side of the mountain complexes along the Continental Divide was surveyed. Commencing in 1980 and continuing during all following programs, entire mountain complexes on both sides of the divide have been surveyed (Figure 1). With a healthy, growing population, a hunt was initiated in 2001 with a small number of licences issued in three defined Goat Population/Hunting Areas (GPA/GHA) within the southern portion of Goat Management Area (GMA) A including Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 400 (Figure 2). Survey objectives were as follows: 1. Obtain a minimum count of goats to: determine population status. provide ongoing population trend data. 2. Classify all goats observed by sex and age to: facilitate population analysis (sex/age composition). provide an assessment of herd production. provide an assessment of herd recruitment. 3. Map goat sighting locations to: provide population status information on a regional (management area) basis. identify range utilized by goats and specific components of the population at the time of the survey. 4

5 Figure 1. Map of survey area for Southern Continental Divide goat survey (WMU 400). 5

6 Figure 2. Southern Continental Divide Goat Population/Hunting Areas within WMU 400 (southern GMA A). 6

7 2.0 METHODS Survey followed accepted protocol and technique outlined in Carr et al. (2001) and historical surveys (Clark 2004). Mountain complexes along the Southern Continental Divide were searched in detail using a coarse belt transect method covering timberline to alpine, using a helicopter (Bell 206 Jet Ranger) flown at air speeds ranging from 50 to 100 km/hr with the intent of completing total search and counts in each GPA, associated with WMU 400. In some instances, coverage of the goat range was accomplished by conducting a single flight near timberline, but a large portion of the survey area required a second flight at a higher elevation to provide complete coverage of extensive mountain faces, particularly in high goat density areas. The timing of survey varies slightly each survey year due to remnant snow cover and weather conditions. However, early July is typically the period in which the survey is conducted since mountain goats are highly observable at this time due to larger group sizes (nursery groups), their use of open alpine habitats, and the increased potential to accurately classify age and sex classes. Additional factors that can affect goat observation during survey include warm temperatures (>25 o C, goats seeking refuge in tree cover, overhanging cliffs, and caves) and high winds (>60 km/h particularly on the leeward side of the Continental Divide and southern front canyons, increasing observer fatigue and a safety concern). Survey conditions (snow cover, temperature, and wind) are taken into account on each survey day to avoid reduced visibility of goats. During each day of surveying, typically the east side of the divide is flown during the early morning hours since the west side is under shadow until mid morning. This provides the best conditions for observation under full sun, however, on overcast days either side can be flown with good visibility. Each day both the east and west sides are completely surveyed for a particular area, reducing any chance for recounting individual goats. The left front passenger (navigator) is responsible for maintaining the proper flight course, taking GPS location and assisting with classification of goats to sex and age categories. Two observers occupying the rear seat provide continuous side observation, with the right passenger recording wildlife numbers. All observed goats are classified into standard sex and age categories of adult male (billy), adult female (nanny), unclassified adult (2+ year olds), yearling or kid. During this time of year (June 25 th to July 15 th ), kids are small in size and do not show horn growth. Yearlings may or may not appear much larger than the kids but are noticeably smaller than the 7

8 adults and do show horn growth, although horns are about as long as the ear. Adults have developed, long curving horns that surpass the ears, show full beards and are large in body size. Nannies are best identified when a kid is observed along side and are typically found within groups, but not always. Billies appear larger and blocky in body, have heavier horns that curve along their entire length and are typically found alone or in smaller groups (Smith 1988, Gonzalez Voyer et al. 2001). The percentage of winter molting on individual animals can assist with classification but must be used with discretion. Typically adult males will be near molted at this time of year, therefore their coats appear clean and tidy compared to adult females that have not fully molted and have frayed coats (R.Watt pers. comm.). 3.0 RESULTS Aerial flights were coordinated to avoid the warmest part of the day and were flown between 0630 hours and 1200 hours. Parks Canada, WLNP Heli pad (Day 1), Bighorn Base, Blairmore (Day 2) and Castle Day Fire Base (Day 3 & 4) provided flight bases and staging/fuel cache sites during the survey. The radio room, Calgary (Alberta Sustainable Resource Development) provided flight monitoring during the survey. The survey was conducted over a 4 day period. The survey was initiated on June 30 th in Waterton Lakes National Park and was completed on July 5 th, The conditions for the 4 day survey were rated as excellent and additional survey flight conditions are provided in Appendix 1. All surveys were conducted during the morning period to take advantage of peak animal activity. A total of 20.8 hours of flying time was required to complete the detailed aerial coverage of Waterton Lakes National Park and all the mountain complexes along the Continental Divide south of the Crowsnest Pass. Survey costs are provided in Appendix 2. A total of 218 mountain goats were observed, including 93 adults, 54 unclassified adults, 46 kids and 25 yearlings (Table 1). Classification of age classes revealed production and recruitment rates of 31 kids/100 adults and 17 yearlings/100 adults. The 2008 survey count of 218, had increased by 11% from the survey conducted in 2007, however the 2008 count is 12% lower than the all time high of 248 goats observed during 2005 within the hunted GPA s (Figure 3). A summary of population trend counts for the 21 surveys completed from 1980 to 2008 are provided in Table 2. Yearling and kid per adult ratios for the period 1980 to 2008 are summarized in Table 3. 8

9 Recruitment rates of 31 percent for 2008 were down from the 2007 survey when 37 kids per 100 adults were recorded although 31 kids per 100 adults is average over the longterm ( ). The number of yearlings per adult during the 2008 survey (17 yearlings per 100 adult) has decreased from 2007 (27 yearlings per 100 adult) and is below the long term average (Table 3). Incidental wildlife observations in the study area during the mountain goat survey included the following: bighorn sheep 114, elk 22, mule deer 22, golden eagle 6, bald eagle 2, and grizzly bear 1. Mountain Goat Population Trend ( ) Total Number of Goats Year Figure 3. Southern Continental Divide mountain goat population trend, 1980 to Note: surveys conducted in 1987 and 1988 were incomplete. 9

10 Table 1. Mountain goat observations within each Goat Population/Hunting Area during Complex Total Adult Adult U/C Yrlg Kid Male Female Adult O Alberta B B.C Upper West Castle Total Q Alberta C B.C Total R Alberta D B.C N. end Divide to CNP Total Overall Total

11 Table 2. Mountain goat population trend counts for each Goat Population/Hunting Area, 1980 to Complex/Hunting Areas O Alberta N.S. N.S Upper W. Castle N.S N.S B BC N.S N.S Totals Q Alberta C BC Total R Alberta N.S D BC N.S N. End Divide Total OVERALL TOTAL Complex/Hunting Areas O Alberta Upper W. Castle B BC Totals Q Alberta C BC Total R Alberta D BC N. End Divide Total OVERALL TOTAL

12 Table 3. Summary of yearling and kid per adult goat ratios for the period 1980 to 2008, Southern Continental Divide goat survey area. Year Total Adults Yearling Kids Yrlg/Adult Kids/Adult N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A I/S I/S I/S I/S Adult component includes yearlings 2 Incomplete survey N/A Not available I/S Inadequate Sample 12

13 4.0 REFERENCES Carr, H.D., K.G. Smith, W.M. Glasgow, and T.C. Sorensen Management Plan for Mountain Goats in Alberta. Wildlife management planning series Number 7, Discussion Draft. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Edmonton, 114 p. Clark. J Southern Continental Divide Goat Survey (Waterton Lakes National Park to Crowsnest Pass) July Unpublished report. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Division, Blairmore, 31 p. Gonzalez Voyer, A., M. Festa Bianchet, and K.G. Smith Efficiency of aerial surveys of mountain goats. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29(1): Smith, B.L Criteria for determining age and sex of American mountain goats in the field. Journal of Mammology 69(2):

14 5.0 APPENDICES Appendix 1. Survey flight log for the Southern Continental Divide goat survey, Flight 30 Jun 3 Jul 4 Jul 5 Jul Aircraft Bell 206 Helicopter Bell 206 Helicopter Bell 206 Helicopter Bell 206 Helicopter Registration BHR BHR BHR BHR Pilot Greg Goodison Greg Goodison Greg Goodison Greg Goodison Bighorn Helicopters Bighorn Helicopters Bighorn Helicopters Bighorn Helicopters Navigator Rob Watt Mike Jokinen Mike Jokinen Mike Jokinen Observers Mike Jokinen Greg Hale Greg Hale Greg Hale Greg Hale Doug Manzer Doug Manzer Doug Manzer Cloud Cover 0% 10% 60 to 80% 25% Wind Speed 10 km/hr 15 km/hr 15 km/hr 50 km/hr (Km/hr) Wind SW SW SW SW Temperature 18 to 30 oc 16 to 20 oc 16 to18 oc 14 to 16 oc ( o C) Observing Conditions Hours Flown Good 6.3 Excellent 4.8 Good 4.4 Good 5.3 Appendix 2. Survey cost analysis Southern Continental Divide Goat Item Description Cost a) Aircraft Helicopter Charter Hours $ /hr. $14, Fuel $1.55/L $2, Total aircraft cost incl. GST $18, b) Aerial survey crew 3 crew x 4 300/day $3, Survey prep, data analysis, report $1, Total manpower cost $4, Total $22, Note: Aircraft rental and portion of survey crew provided by the ACA. 14